Update on Council Services

9.02.00am GMT Wed 6th Jan 2010

Information on the Council Services in South Manchester:

Weather conditions:

The weather according to the Met Office looks to remain the same temperature wise over the next few days with the visibility improving somewhat.

Travel advice and gritting:

The latest Met Office advice is that the weather conditions are expected to last for the next few days but thanks to the efforts of the gritting teams all of Manchester's main roads are now clear.

Gritting of all of Manchester's priority routes will continue this evening and the snow plough will continue to clear the most congested routes.

When making a journey by road it is advisable to exercise caution and take extra time for your journey.Public transport is running - subject to some delays (see GMPTE website for latest updates).

Manchester Evening News website is also invaluable.

Libraries and leisure:

All the council's libraries and leisure facilities will be open as normal tomorrow.

They have been shutting early for the past two days and I would support them shutting early if necessary

Waste and recycling:

The City Council will resume waste and recycling collections on Thursday January 7 in areas that have become safe enough for collection vehicles to enter.

Extra rounds will be organised on Saturday and Sunday to catch up on collections that had been suspended earlier in the week due to the severe weather.

For further information about collections in your area, contact Environment On Call on 0161 954 9000.

Just leave your bins out till they are collected. Nobody will mind that for a few days in the circumstances.

Health advice:

NHS Manchester are advising patients that most services are gradually returning to normal although patients should contact their local hospital to check whether or not specific clinics are operating

If you have a health problem that is not life threatening patients are advised to visit their nearest NHS Walk in Centre or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.